Loving Bella by Elizabeth Bonet (books suggested by bill gates .TXT) 📖

Bridgette where did you get these?!” “Wow Pastor must be going crazy if he’s getting you all these weapons.” They were all in awe over Bridgette’s ninja stars that her dad had recently gotten her, Isabella, and her sisters Victoria and Rosalie. Bridgette was demonstrating throwing the stars at a tree when Mason had walked out of the church to say goodbye for the night. Upon seeing him the mood let them down. Earlier that night he had told them that he was going to Alabama for boot camp.
At the end of the camp he would go to Germany and afterwards Afghanistan to fight. It had made them all sad especially Bella. Who was just realizing she liked him and always had right before he was going to leave. When saying goodnight he gave each of the girls a long hug. But when it came to Bella herself he held her tighter than the rest but the hug was short.
Bella breathed in his scent before he could get away. And stepped back before the tears could form in her eyes. She slowly walked toward the church, but Rosalie’s scream stopped her before she could open the door. Bella spun around to see Rosalie drop one of Bridgette’s stars and gape at Mason’s back as a star flew just inches past his leg. “Oh my Lord, Mason.” was all Bella could think as she ran toward the group.
Mason looked over his shoulder in shock. “What was that for? Are you trying to kill me?!” Rosalie shuddered. “No.” She whispered softly. “I missed the tree. I’m sorry.” He laughed, turned and left. Leaving the girls in an awkward silence.

~*~*~*~

“The Phantom of the Opera is there inside my mind. I am your angel of music! Come to me Angel of music!” “Bella!” The one being spoken to glanced in the bathroom mirror and fixed a stray hair hanging in front of her forehead. Humming she opened the bathroom door and stood at the top of the stairs.
When she looked down however she noticed a huge rip in her brand new shirt. Bella groaned when she noticed just how bad it was. “Yes?” Victoria looked at her strangely. “Are you ok? What was that all about?” Victoria laughed when Bella’s deep brown eyes seemed to swallow her face.
“Oh, well I just discovered a big whole the size of my hand in one of my new shirts. And it upset me that’s all.” Bella stopped when Victoria grinned. Bella stood arms akimbo and gave her sister ‘the look’ demanding she tell what was on her mind. “Stay right there I’ll be back. I have a surprise that I think will brighten up your day.”
“Wow she’s gonna be so happy when I show her this!” Victoria thought. Isabella dropped her arms to her sides and stood confused watching her sister retreat back outside the backdoor. Bella had just finished changing her shirt when Victoria called to her again. Bella walked back to the top of the stairs and nearly fell in disbelief. “Where did you get that?!”
Victoria stood with a childish grin on her face. In her arms she held a rather large keyboard. Bella ran down the stairs and lovingly caressed the black and white keys.
“You’ll never believe it.” Victoria announced, red suddenly filled her cheeks and she giggled nervously. “ Well he told me not to tell you but-” “Wait! Hold it!” Bella held up a finger, her eyebrows knitted together. “Did you just say he?”

~*~*~*~

The sanctuary of the church was full of people young and old to say goodbye to Mason. All listened to each person as they gave him advice and wished him well. After the pastor prayed, there would be a small meal in the fellowship hall. Some people had brought gifts for Mason and others only their presence, as most families did.
It overwhelmed him. He didn’t know what to make out of practically the whole church showing up to say goodbye. “Is their God so great, that he impressed all these people to show up? For them to even care?” Mason saw something move in the corner of his eye and slip into the next room. Soft music began to play off the piano, filling the Sanctuary.
He began to walk to the official entrance, when Pastor stopped him. “Hello Mason.” Pastor’s deep voice rumbled from above and Mason sighed. “Hey Pastor.” A conversation had enveloped. One he thought lasted a little too long for his taste. He threw up a silent ‘thank you’ when Pastor finally hugged him and said: “Goodbye, son”.
Mason stopped right at the door of the sanctuary when there was a sudden silence. Thinking he had lost his opportunity he began walking back down the stairs, when a different, more rapid song began to play. He gently pushed the door open and stepped in. Not wanting to alarm the person playing.
Mason looked to the very front of the huge room where the little piano sat. Playing it, was a girl. “No not a girl. Although she may be young, she’s got the looks and thoughts of a woman. But still she needs to be treated with respect and care. Still vulnerable Mason, and naïve, very vulnerable…” Although clearly not looking her best, she was a vision. He stood still taking her every being apart piece by piece.
Long black curls swooped down her back and stopped at the middle. She sported light olive toned skin that made her chocolate eyes all the more charming. Although not the skinniest girl in the world, you could still tell she had a figure. A very shapely one at that. Mason thought she looked just as well in a t-shirt and jeans.
But he knew that the effect would be complete if only she wore a long dress that marked her curves. Scolding himself for staring he made his way up the aisle to approach her. So in tune was she with her music she didn’t hear him approach. So he simply crossed his arms over top the piano and looked on as she continued to play.
“Hello, Bella.” Her hands suddenly stopped and she shuddered. She looked up slowly to reveal a slight tint of pink on her cheeks. Her gaze quickly dropped to the piano after briefly meeting his eyes. “Hello Mason.” Wishing to make her comfortable again he formed a following conversation in his head. Realizing he had to clear his throat he mentally groaned.
Bella slipped her hands onto her lap and waited patiently for him to say something. “Great… Well if he doesn’t say anything then I’ll just excuse myself and leave. 3...2...-” “So you like the piano?” He mentally kicked himself over and over again for coming up with such a lame topic. But stopped short at seeing her reaction.
Her face took on a lighter, dreamy appeal. A slow smile on her lips, she sighed. “Yes, that I do.” Bella turned her gaze back on the keys and sucked in a breath. “And I know, so thank you.” Mason’s face was confused for a second and slightly hardened. “You know what? What are you thanking me for?” One look at her face and he knew.
“Victoria told you didn’t she?” His hands balled into fists by his sides. “Yeah” she said softly. “She told me that you told her not to tell me that you were the one who gave me the keyboard. And after telling me, told me not to tell you; but obviously I ignored her.” “Well now you know.” He sighed. “It made my day.” Bella laughed at the memory.
“Yeah I know, she told me.” Noticing his dark mood she began to retaliate but stopped short when Mason smiled.
“Well your welcome. Enjoy it.” Mason stood next to where she sat now and helped her up giving her a gentle hug. “Thank you., and I guess goodbye.“ Isabella whispered. Holding on perhaps a little more tightly than necessary. With that he swept out of the room taking all conversation out of her, the air in the room and her heart.
Bella whimpered to herself. Placing her head into her palms, she relapsed. “Oh Lord what am I going to do?”

~*~*~*~


Chapter Two


Isabella soaked in the fresh air as she walked in the vast, green field. Swinging her hands back and forth she sang a little tune to herself on the Saturday afternoon. Bella closed her eyes as a breeze passed over and sighed. “What a perfect day! Almost.” The thought troubled her and she balled her small hands into fists.
“Of course, and that’s the only reason why it’s not perfect.” Ever since he left even the most beautiful of days, like this one, were gloomy. All because of the worry it caused her. “Oh Lord, what am I going to do?” “What was that?” Bella started when she realized she wasn’t alone anymore. She stopped abruptly causing the intruder to stumble.
“What do you want Charles?” His face turned red as he stabbed the toe of his shoe in the dirt. After waiting for about two minutes, Bella scoffed impatiently and turned to leave. Just as she took a step, Charles reached out and grabbed her by the arm. Bella turned glaring eyes to him and struggled out of his grasp. Only to have him grab her other arm.